Sen. Deb Patterson

Establishes the Latino Health System Task Force. Prescribes the task force's membership and duties. Directs the task force to report to the Legislative Assembly no later than December 15, 2026. Sunsets on December 31, 2026. [ Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die. ] Declares an emergency, effective on passage.

Creates workplace violence prevention requirements for certain health care entities. Requires subject entities to compile data concerning incidents of workplace violence and submit reports to the Department of Consumer and Business Services. Requires certain health care employers and home care settings to take certain actions to protect workers against risks of violence and other safety-related risks. Requires the Oregon Health Authority to develop and administer a grant program to provide financial assistance to eligible entities for workplace violence prevention efforts. Establishes a timeline within which the authority must begin distributing funds to approved grant applicants. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Requires a hospital to establish, update and make public a list of standard charges that lists the regular rates or prices established by the hospital for items or services and shoppable services offered or provided by the hospital. Specifies the information that a list of standard charges must include. Requires a hospital to provide each newly created or updated list of standard charges to the Oregon Health Authority. Directs the authority to create an electronic form for submitting complaints to the authority. Directs the authority to require a hospital to take immediate or corrective action to remedy any violations. Provides for a private right of action if a hospital initiates or pursues a collection action for a debt owed on an item or service if the hospital is not in compliance. Provides for civil penalties.

Requires the sentencing court to consider as mitigation evidence whether the defendant was subjected to domestic violence that was ongoing when the criminal behavior occurred and was a significant factor in the criminal behavior, and the criminal behavior was directed against the domestic violence perpetrator. Provides that such evidence constitutes substantial and compelling reasons justifying a downward departure sentence. Authorizes the court to impose a lesser sentence even if there is a mandatory minimum sentence or a sentence otherwise required by law. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Appropriates moneys from the General Fund to the Oregon Health Authority for the purpose of screening newborns for five specific diseases under the Northwest Regional Newborn Bloodspot Screening Program.

Requires home health agencies and home hospice programs to establish home health and home hospice staffing committees to develop staffing plans. Imposes penalties for certain violations. Requires the Oregon Health Authority to post the staffing plans to the authority's website and establish an online portal for filing complaints regarding violations. Prescribes a complaint process. Adds enforcement tools for the authority to enforce the home health and home hospice staffing requirements. Permits employees or exclusive representatives of employees of home health agencies and home hospice programs to seek enforcement by the Bureau of Labor and Industries of rules adopted by the bureau regarding meal periods and rest periods. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

] Appropriates moneys to the Oregon Department of Administrative Services for distribution to an organization and Polk County for [ expanding a program ] programs for providing free drop-in childcare for people with business at a county courthouse or with other governmental business and data collection regarding the [ program ] programs . Declares an emergency, effective on passage.

] Exempts from state income tax up to $17,500 in federal retirement pay or pension received for service in the Armed Forces of the United States for a taxpayer who is receiving federal retirement pay or pension for service in the Armed Forces of the United States and who has [ not ] attained 63 years of age before the close of the taxable year [ for which a return is filed ]. Applies to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2025. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Appropriates moneys to fund the provision of fire response, emergency medical and law enforcement and public safety services by the City of Salem. Declares an emergency, effective on passage.

Maddy summaryHB 3523 prohibits housing discrimination based on "minor status" (a person under 18) in real property transactions like renting or buying homes. It adds "minor status" to Oregon's existing fair housing protections, making it illegal for landlords, real estate agents, or housing providers to refuse to rent or sell property to families with minors. The law applies to all housing transactions covered by Oregon's fair housing law, with limited exceptions for past conduct or inability to pay rent (consistent with existing rules). It takes effect 91 days after Oregon's legislative session ends.